After a hiatus of close to a year, boxing coach Orland `Pocket Rocket’ Rogers has returned to working with amateur fighters. Rogers has shifted attention from Berbice and has now opened a gym in the mining town of Linden.

The gym has been growing steadily since its opening earlier this month and now has a membership of 25 youths. President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle said yesterday that he had met with Rogers on matters relating to the gym.
Ninvalle applauded the effort and noted that boxing was on the down swing in Linden for some time and that Roger’s initiative is both timely and welcomed. The GABA boss, however, pointed out that there is need for more gear if the gym is to produce fruit.
“We (the GABA) were able to get him off and running following a presentation of some basic equipment. However, that would not be enough to sustain a gym. An approach is being made to the Director of Sport to assist in this department,” Ninvalle said.
The gym is located in Victory Valley Wismar and appropriately named Pocket Rocket Gym. It has a membership of 22 males and three females. Rogers would be approaching the association during the course of this week for an official transfer.
While the gym was in Berbice, Rogers was credited with uncovering and neutering many of the nation’s top fighters including the talented Jamal `The Jaguar’ Eastman, one of the most skillful young fighters in the country.
The opening of the gym in Linden has added to boxing activity in the country Ninvalle informed. He disclosed that national coach Wincell Thomas is working with youths in Ann’s Grove. This programme was made a reality with support from the National Sports Commission and the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
Thomas has been making visits to Ann’s Grove five days a week to have sessions with youths with the intention of opening a gym in that area. He will later shift attention to other locations in Guyana.